The Ultimate Dominican Republic Bucket List

I love summer. This season is so amazingly beautiful. I mean, just thinking about seeing a sunset at the beach, gives me chills! That’s why I want to share my Dominican Republic bucket list!

Traveling during summer can be tough, due to the high demand. However, it’s worth it! Especially if you’re going to a tropical island (a.k.a where I love being because of the beaches and, yes, again, the beautiful sunsets). 

I’m going to be sharing the places I wish I could visit this year, however, I’m going to keep it local. 

I live in the Dominican Republic, one of the most beautiful countries in the world. The beaches, mountains, and people here are amazing, and everybody should see them! 

So? Are you ready? Here is the Dominican Republic bucket list! 

The Dominican Republic Bucket List: The Best Places to Visit

Samaná

OMG, you guys, and girls, one of the most beautiful cities in this country! 

Samaná is my favorite touristic city in the Dominican Republic, I won’t ever get tired of going there. And that’s why it’s in the first place on this post. 

This city has many places to visit. El Salto del Limón, for example, located on the way to Las Terrenas, is one of the most visited places there. This river is amazingly beautiful, its cristal waters won’t ever leave your memories. Plus, the pictures you’ll take there will be your favorites. 

Samaná has three main places I’d love to visit again: the center of the city, Las Galeras, and Las Terrenas. In the center of the city, I’d love to cross Samaná’s bridge one more time and take some pictures in the colorful houses that call our attention once we enter the city. In Las Galeras, we’ll find the best beaches! And in Las Terrenas, we’ll find the best restaurants and the most beautiful views. 

What to visit: 

• Playa Las Galeras 
• See the Whales from a boat 
• Playa Cosón 
• Salto del Limón
• Playa Rincón and the Cold River
• Playa Portillo 
• Colored Houses in Samaná City 
• Playa Bonita
• Samaná Valley 
• Los Haitises National Park 
• Cayo Levantado 
• The Bridge: Las Flechas
• Playa Punta Popy

You may also like: What to Wear on Your Trip to Dominican Republic

Punta Cana 

Okay, I gotta be honest here. Punta Cana isn’t the best part of the country, but it cannot miss a place on your summer travel bucket list since it’s one of the most popular! 

There, I want to visit Playa Arena Gorda since the sunrises there are on the top! I also want to visit Playa Juanillo one more time, because last time I went there it was storm season, and it was dirty. That’s why I want to give the most visited beach in Punta Cana, another chance. 

I know Punta Cana is mainly beaches, but I also want to try some other activities that I’ve never done before. I wanna go on a jeep safari, also go sailing, and maybe go on an eco buggy adventure there! That’d be so incredibly awesome! 

I also heard there are some eco stays in that city, and I’d love to visit them so I can give you a good review about them. Let’s hope I can go this summer! 

What to visit: 

• Playa Juanillo 
• Hoyo Azul 
• Playa Bávaro 
• Playa Macao 
• Indiginous Eyes Ecological Reserve 
• Guama Lagoon 
• Playa Arena Gorda

You may also like: Sustainable Swimwear Brands for Summer

Pedernales

Another on the list of underrated places in the Dominican Republic travel lists! 

Located literally at the end of the country, Pedernales has one of the most beautiful beaches in the world: Bahía de las Águilas. I had the opportunity to visit the south part of the country a couple of years ago, but I couldn’t go to Pedernales, which is why I want to visit it a lot more than Barahona. 

What to see:

• Hoyo de Pelempito 
• Bahía de las Águilas 
• Cabo Rojo 
• Oviedo Lagoon (see the flamingoes!) 

Montecristi 

This is a city that’s working hard to get its tourism noticed by tourists. 

Montecristi is located on the northwest part of the island, pretty close to the frontier with Haiti. They have many things to do, however, people don’t get to discover its wonders. 

While being in this city we can visit Playa El Morro, which sand is red! I’m telling you here, one of the most beautiful sunsets you’ll see! Playa El Morro has also a small mountain where you can see the sea, and take some pictures from it. 

There’s also a nice trip to Goat Island, where we could be able to take a nice bath at Paradise Beach, another of the most beautiful beaches in this city. 

You can also see Cayo 7 Hermanos here. This is a group of seven inhabited islands that you can visit if you pay a full tour to it when going to Goat Island!

What to visit:

• El Morro
• Playa El Morro 
• Playa Popa 
• Goat Island and Paradise Beach
• Playa Buen Hombre 
• Playa Punta Rusia 
• Cayo 7 Hermanos 
• Natural Pool 
• The Mangroves 

You may also like: What to Wear in the Dominican Republic

Puerto Plata 

One of the most visited places in the country, yet nobody knows the good stuff there. 

Puerto Plata is called “The Atlantic’s Girlfriend” because of its location. The city is full of beautiful paradises, where you can easily relax with a Piña Colada and its beaches are amazingly stunning, and it has so many good restaurants too!

This amazing province has so many hidden gems I’d love to visit, such as 27 Charcos, a group of small rivers that connects. They also have the Runners Tour, where you can visit many places in the city at an affordable price. 

I’d also love to learn windsurfing here, I heard they have the best schools for that! 

What to see:

• The Umbrella Street 
• The Cable Car 
• Cabarete Caves 
• 27 Charcos
• Playa Viejo Oscar 
• The Malecón 
• San Felipe Ruins 
• El Paseo de la Melosa 
• El Paseo Doña Blanca 
• Cayo Arena 
• Manaties Sanctuary 
• Playa Alicia 
• La Isabela Ruins 
• Playa Grande 
• Playa Dorada 
• Fricolandia 
• Playa Cabarete 

La Romana and San Pedro 

My favorite province in all the country, besides Samaná. OMG! This city is on every travel Dominican Republic bucket list I make, and I’ll never get tired of it. 

From there, we can go to many places such as Higuey, where we’ll find the biggest basilica in the country. We can also make a trip to Saona Island, one of the most beautiful and virgin places in the Dominican Republic. I’m telling you, I can’t explain how much I love going to La Romana. 

We can also go to Catalina Island from there, which is a place I’m dying to visit. And, let’s not forget about Altos de Chavon, one of the most important scenarios in this country. Another place I can’t wait to see!! 

What to see: 

• Playa Bayahibe 
• Playa Dominicus
• Catalina and Catalinita Islands
• Playa Caletón 
• Saona Island 
• Cueva de las Maravillas 
• Altos de Chavón 

And that’s it!! These are the places I’m dying to visit this summer in my country! Have you ever heard of any of them? Where are you planning to go this summer? Let me know in the comments! 

You may also like: 
–What to Wear in the Dominican Republic
–Caribbean Packing List: What to Pack to a Caribbean Island
–My Favorite Sustainable Dresses for this Summer

Don’t forget to pin this post and save it on Pinterest for the next time you’re looking for a Dominican Republic travel guide!